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Everything retro - big and small! Live from Perth, Australia!

Monday, August 22, 2016

Retro Scan: Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PSone, PC, DC, GBC)

A slightly crumpled scan today as it comes from the back page of a Prima branded Driver 2 strategy guide (a well-used one at that, too). Regardless as to what you think about Prima today and the price they expect for their products (when online playthroughs are free and so readily available) Prima certainly had its day in the sun once upon a time. I should add that I only played a dollar for that guide too – so there’s that.

I certainly got my money’s worth for a dollar since I’ve probably played Driver 2 three or four times, but even more so now since I realised the other day it has useable retro scan material within.
This scan is for Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (also known as Alone in the Dark 4) which was released in 2001. The PSone box is prominent in the advert, but it was also released on the Dreamcast, PC and even the Game Boy Color. Later on, it was also exclusively released on the PS2 in Europe. 


Friday, August 19, 2016

Video: The Net Yaroze: Wonders of the Retro Gaming World

For my second video in the Wonders of the Retro Gaming World series, I take a look at Sony's Net Yaroze. Released in 1997, this was a one of a kind PSone development kit targeted at hobbyists and students that we have not seen the likes of since.


Sunday, August 7, 2016

The Games Room - August, 2016


About a week ago, I uploaded new photos of my games room to Imgur for the sole purpose of posting them on one of my favourite subreddits, /r/retrogaming. While it received a moderate amount of attention on Reddit - gaining a lovely 40 upvotes, it unexpectedly went somewhat viral on Imgur. I say somewhat because 102 points and over 2500 views in a matter of days is still pretty small fry. However, it was a nice amount of attention regardless and filled up my internet ego-metre for the foreseeable future - and that's what really matters, doesn't it?

Anyway, I thought I mind as well post the photos here, but if you really want to see the post on Imgur then I guess today's your lucky day. Here you go.
For everyone else, though, look below...


All the consoles are connected up and ready to play at a moments notice. The cabinet was bought from Ikea for $115AUS. The TV and speakers/amp were free hand-me-downs.



My switching system - sadly everything is currently composite (that's all the TV supports) but I'll introduce VGA and component one day when I upgrade to a suitable set.


I went to town using zipties to clean up the back - it was pretty horrid before. Here's a before and after photo.


The games (the books aren't mine).


Handheld hidey-hole.


My ever increasing boxed PC collection. Still very much a work in progress.


The recording station for the game footage. I use an Elgato Game Capture HD. This is also wired in to be activated at a push of a button. If you want to learn more, check out this.


My super crappy way to store controllers. Once upon a time, these were organised by console in ziplock bags, but that's all gone to shit over the years. One day I'll figure out a better solution.

Note: I've actually since resorted the controllers and they now reside in a plastic container.


A spare Famicom and PSone, a broken 2600 and fat PS2, a Super Famicom floppy disc pirating device , various loose instruction manuals, a pair of fantastic casual pants and an oddly placed lens flair.


Some other stuff I don't have room for in the TV's cabinet. Seen here is my Famicom, my Japanese PSone, Atari ST and an Xbox setup for emulation. There's also another working Xbox, about three others which aren't (and in various pieces) and some other odds and ends.


My reel to reel player and vintage (and probably dangerous by now) 1960's step down transformer (the player is American). And don't fret, the light isn't always on the reels. The curtain was just open for when I was taking photos.


My American mechanical record player, although this is currently not working (a project for another day).


A bunch of console boxes elsewhere.


A bonus pic of my modern game collection.



Saturday, August 6, 2016

Video: Crackout for NES Review

In my second NES review, I check out the Breakout/Arkanoid type game, Crackout.
Released in 1991, it was developed by Konami and published by Palcom. Palcom was actually just a subsidiary of Konami, though, since Nintendo only allowed up to five games to be published per year. Pretty cheeky really, since no doubt Konami had already reached their yearly limit!